The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-21
THE MISSION FIELD.
Are the Gospel Floods Covering the Earth
Work In the Polynesian Islands.

Extract from Article by Arthur L. Pierson.
God has plan in regard to the evaneelization
of this world, and that plan is revealed. We
ought to have it so clearly stamped upon our
minds that no doubt should ever arise as to the
fact the destiny of the gospel or our duty. That
plan of God is unfolded in prophecy in unmis-
taxable terms, and we have only to keep our
eyes and ears open to see prophecy confirmed
ard fulfilled by history. The stone cut out with
out hands has been growing for centuries, and ie
filling the whole earth. Whoever will
study to find out Gods plan for this world, and
then compare it with his actual work in this
world. must become convert to missions in
every fiber Of his being: convinced and over
whelmed, first by the power of Scripture argu-
ment and then by the resistless logic of facts
And. because any really renewed soul must yield
before such ornnpotent appeals, it may be
well to present few of the many weighty con-
siderations which 60 to show that in no age has
God been moving with such strides to compass
this world with the knowledge of the Lord; yet
like Ruth, we can only CLEAN few nandfuls
from an illimitable harvest-feld What
the gospel can do is proven by what 1t has done.
Mark the power which it has shown over both
the lowest and highest type of man!
Where can you find mankind sunk in deeper
mental and moral degradation than in Australia
and adjacent islands, whose savages are but one
grade higher than the brutes they hunt and kiln
Behold the Papuan, and Maori and other tribes,
equally lost to humanity, like the coin whose
original image and superscription are worn off,
reSIOreu TO humanity anu 10 GOU. anu worn SS
precious and FURNISHED pieces of silver on tho
necklace of Christ's bride
Polynesia has been the scene Of gospel tri-
umphs which for character, number and rapid
ity scarce admit comparison. Wherever the
gospel touches these islands it transforms their
civil and social life with speed that leaves US
no doubt of the wonder working power of God
Poly nesia only little while ago was the earthly
realization of hell. To be cast these shores
meant robbery. torture, death, and then a canni-
bal feast over your flesh. To-day you would be
tenderly cared for as on the most ospitable
shores, and would find over 500 churches of
Christ IN those islands Thomas Powell placed
on the little island of Nanumaea a native evan
gelist. He found the island full of idols of stone
and wood affairs in every house, and temples al
most as many as dwellings. Eight years after
ward one third of the entire population were
members of the Christian Church. and two
| thirds of the children were il Christian schools,
| and those new church members contributed to
the support of the gospel and its extension 81. GO
| each, average. Not idol is now to be found,
| nor an idol temple, and the people, all clothed
decently sit with delight to listen to the gospel.
The number of converts in Madagas-
car during period of thirty five years of mis-
| sionary labor is computed to exceed the
| number Of converts in the Roman empire
| during the first three centuries of the Christian
| era